Railway-switch.



J. G. SPEAS.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

1 094,488. HG 1913' Patented Apr. 28, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

JOHN C. SPEAS, F ALMA, MICHIGAN.

RAILVfAY-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Application filed August 25, 1913. Serial No. 786,567.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. SPE-AS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alma, in. the county of Gratiot and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Railway Switch; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a new and useful improved railway switch.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a frogless switch having a locking mechanism, which automatically locks a pivoted rail section (which is substituted in lieu of the frog) into registration with either one of the main rails or one of the siding switch rails, as the switch points are actuated.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitate alterations, to which the patentee is entitled, provided the alterations fall within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the improved switch 1nechanism constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing how the pivoted rail section is held locked in alinement with one of the siding switch rails. Fig. 3 is a plan view, showing the pivoted rail section and the switch points ad'usted in different positions than shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 3 showing how the pivoted rail section is held locked in alinement with one of the main rails. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view showing the construction of the locking mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the main rails, while 3 and 4 designate the siding switch rails, whereas 5 and 6 denote the switch points. A. plate 7 is countersunken in recesses S of the ties 9' and secured in place in any suitable inanner. Pivoted at 10 to the plate 7 is a pivoted rail section 11, which may be thrown in alinement with either the main rail 2 and the switch point 6, or in alinement with the switch rail 3 and the switch points 5. Fixed to the tie 12 are plates 13 and 14, the ends 15 of which are adjacent the pivoted ends 16 and 17 of the switch points 5 and 6. The ends 15 of the plates 13 and 14 are under cut as shown, thereby affording recesses 18, which receive one or the other side of the base flange 19 of the end 20 of the pivoted rail section 11, that is, when the pivoted rail section is operated to assume a position in alinement with either one or the other of the switch points 5 and 6.

Secured to the tie 21 are plates 22. The adjacent ends of the plates 22 are constructed with undercut recesses 23. When the pivoted rail section 11 is thrown in alinement with the main rail 2, one side of the base flange 24 at the end 25 of the rail section 11 is received in the under cut recess 23 of the plate 22 on the inside of the main rail 2. However, when the end 25 of the rail section 11 is thrown in alinement with the siding switch rail 3, the other side of the base flange 24 is received in the recess 23 of the plate 22 on the outside of the siding switch rail 3.

The usual guard-rail 26 is arranged adjacent the main rail 1. Pivoted to the tie 27 as at 28 is a rocking plate 29, which in turn is pivoted at 3 to the bar 31. The bar 31 is pivotally connected at 32 and 33 to the free ends of the switch points 5 and 6. this bar 31 may be operated in any suitable manner, for instance by means of a lever 34 pivoted to a stand 35 and having a pivotal connection 36 to the bar 31.

Pivoted at 37 is a rock plate 38, which in turn is pivoted at 39 to the bar 40. This bar 40 has a slot and pin pivotal connection at 41 to the end 20 of the rail section 11.

Pivoted at 42 to one side of the tie 12 is a latch bar 43 having a notch 44 at one end, and shoulders 45 and 46 at the other end. One face of the latch bar 43 is provided with an angularly disposed cam groove 47, which receives an anti-friction roller 48, which is mounted upon the pin 49. Pivoted at 50 to the adjacent tie 9 is a latch bar 51 having a projection 52 at one end, and shoulders 53 and 54 at the other end. One face of the latch bar 51 is constructed with an angularly disposed cam groove 56, extending at an angle just the opposite to the angle of the groove 47. The groove 56 receives an antifriction roller 57 of the pin 49.

Connecting the rocking plates 29 and 38 are rods 60 and 61, which cross one another, so that the rocking plates will roclc in unison.

Referring to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the pivoted rail section 11, is in registration with the switch point 5 and the switch rail 3, and the latch bar 51 is so arranged or raised at one end, that the projection 52 will prevent the rail section 11 from being accidentally moved in registration with the switch point 6 and the main rail 2. However, when the bar 31 is moved in the direction plates 29 and 38 will be actuated to shift the rail section 11 on its pivot, so as to throw the same in registration with the switch points 6 and the main rail 2, through the medium of the connecting bar e'tO. As the connecting bar 40 moves, so as to change the position of the rail section 11, the end of the latch bar 43 having the groove l7 is raised, and the latch bar 51 is lowered through the cooperation of the rollers tS and 57, and the cam grooves 47 and 56. When the latch bar 43 is raised the shoulder of the notch 4% prevents the rail section 11 from being thrown accidentally from alinement with the switch point 6, reference being had to Figs. 2 and 4.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is In a railway switch, the combination of a main rail and a switch rail, a pair of switch points, a pivoted rail section adapted to be thrown in alinement with either the main rail or the switch rail and with one or the other of the switch points, a memof the arrow 63, the rocking spective latch bar is ber connecting the switch points at their free ends so that they will move together, a mechanism for operating said member to actuate said switch points, a bar pivoted to one end of the rail section and having connections with said member, whereby the rail section may be actuated simultaneously with the switch points, a pair of pivoted latch bars having opposing cam grooves disposed upon opposite inclinations, one of said latch bars having a notch including a shoulder to prevent movement of the rail section in one direction when the reraised, while the other latch bar is provided with a projection to prevent movement of the rail section in one direction when said respective latch bar is raised, said bar pivotally connecting the rail section having means on each side operating in one of said cam grooves for raising and lowering each of said latch bars a trifle before the actuation of the rail section, and means to prevent movement of the rail section in the opposite direction, it depending upon which ever of said latch bars is raised.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN C. SPEAS.

lVitnesses GEORGE E. CARL, Isaac lV. CAMPBELL.

Qapies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

